🦏 3-Day Ol Pejeta Conservancy Safari From Nairobi — Private 4×4 Land Cruiser
Safari at a Glance
Wild Springs Adventures · Private 4×4 Safari · 3 Days / 2 Nights · From $850 per person
🏆 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2024, 2025 and 2026 · ✅ TRA Licensed TRA1/47/C01/25895 · 🔰 KPSGA Guides · 🚑 Flying Doctors Cover
The Only Place on Earth to See the Last Two Northern White Rhinos
Two rhinos named Najin and Fatu live inside a protected enclosure at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. A mother and her daughter. The last two northern white rhinos alive on Earth.
When they are gone, a subspecies that lived across Central Africa for millions of years ends.
Wild Springs has been running the Nairobi to Ol Pejeta circuit since 2013. Our 3-day safari takes you to Najin and Fatu in person, to the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and into a conservancy that holds 240 rhinos — the largest black rhino population in East and Central Africa.
Safari at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Destination | Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Laikipia County |
| ⏱️ Drive from Nairobi | 220 km · 4 to 5 hours via A2 Highway |
| 🚗 Vehicle | Private 4×4 Land Cruiser · pop-up roof · binoculars |
| 🏕️ Accommodation | Sweetwaters Serena Camp recommended · 4 tiers available |
| 🦏 Signature Wildlife | Last 2 Northern White Rhinos · 240 black & white rhinos · 35 chimpanzees · Big Five |
| 🌙 Night Game Drives | Permitted — one of few Kenyan conservancies that allow them |
| 📅 Departures | Private · any date · year-round |
| 💰 Price From | $850 per person (non-resident, 4 sharing) |
Why Ol Pejeta Beats a National Park
Kenya's national parks — Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo — close at 6:00 PM. No night drives. No walking safaris. No off-road tracking.
Ol Pejeta is a private conservancy. Different rules apply:
Night game drives — leopard, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, bush babies
- Rhino tracking on foot — with armed rangers
- Lion tracking vehicles — join the conservation monitoring team
- Lower vehicle density — sightings shared with two or three vehicles, not twelve
- 8 consecutive years without a poaching incident — an unprecedented record
Add the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya and the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, and the case is complete.
🦏 Najin and Fatu — The Last Two
Najin (born 1989) and her daughter Fatu (born 2000) were flown from the Czech Republic to Ol Pejeta in December 2009. The last male of their subspecies, Sudan, died here in March 2018. Neither female can carry a pregnancy. Natural reproduction is over.
Science is now the only hope. The BioRescue consortium — led by Germany's Leibniz Institute in partnership with Ol Pejeta — harvests eggs from Fatu, fertilises them with preserved sperm from deceased males, and freezes the embryos. Southern white rhinos will carry the first calf. More than 35 viable embryos exist. A northern white rhino calf is expected by 2028.
Your Day 2 visit includes a guided viewing at the Morani Information Centre — the same centre where keepers Zacharia Mutai and James Mwenda have cared for these rhinos daily for over a decade. Your conservancy fee directly funds the BioRescue project and the 24/7 armed protection that keeps Najin and Fatu safe.
You may be among the last generation of humans to see a northern white rhino alive.
🐒 Sweetwaters — Kenya's Only Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya. They live naturally from Senegal to Uganda. So why are 35 chimps at Ol Pejeta?
In 1993, civil war forced the closure of a chimpanzee rescue centre in Burundi. Dr. Jane Goodall partnered with Ol Pejeta and Kenya Wildlife Service to build a new sanctuary. It opened that same year as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, today a chartered member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance.
The sanctuary holds 35 rescued chimpanzees in two natural-enclosure groups separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Most were confiscated from the illegal pet trade or orphaned by bushmeat poaching. Sweetwaters provides them with lifelong care.
Your visit includes the observation deck during feeding time, an educational talk from staff, and a 30-minute chimp walk along the river. Chimpanzees share 98.6% of their DNA with humans. Watching them for an hour gives context for every primate conversation you'll have afterward.
🌙 Night Game Drives — The Experience National Parks Don't Offer
Ol Pejeta permits scheduled night drives for resident guests. A spotlight-equipped vehicle leaves camp after dinner with a ranger and driver-guide. 90 minutes in the darkness of the Laikipia savannah.
What you see that day drives miss:
- Leopard — more active at night than any other Kenyan feline
- Aardwolf — a rare, striped termite-eating hyena relative
- Bat-eared fox — nocturnal canid with enormous ears
- Bush babies, porcupines, genets, civets, African wild cats
- Occasionally, lions actively hunting — not the sleeping lions of daytime drives
Cost: $ per person (optional). Book a reservation. We recommend Night 2.
🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Nairobi to Ol Pejeta
Distance: 220 km · Drive: 4–5 hours ·
Your safari begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi through the fertile central highlands towards Nanyuki. Along the way, there is an opportunity to stop at the Equator Crossing for photographs and a brief experience of this unique geographical landmark. Upon arrival at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, you will check into your selected lodge or camp and enjoy lunch before setting out on your first exciting game drive. Explore the conservancy's diverse habitats in search of elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and numerous other wildlife species. As the day comes to an end, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner | 🏕️ Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 2 — Northern White Rhinos & Sweetwaters Chimpanzees
Spend the day exploring one of Kenya's most celebrated conservancies. Begin with a game drive when wildlife is most active, offering excellent opportunities to encounter predators and other iconic species. Later, visit the renowned Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Continue to the endangered species enclosure, where you will have the rare opportunity to see the world's last remaining northern white rhinos and gain insight into global conservation efforts. After lunch, enjoy another game drive across different sections of the conservancy, searching for cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, hippos, and a variety of birdlife. Optional activities such as night game drives, guided bush walks, lion tracking, and rhino tracking can also be arranged at an additional cost. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 🏕️ Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 3 — Morning Game Drive, Return to Nairobi
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Nairobi. As you travel through the beautiful Kenyan countryside, reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters and conservation experiences that made your Ol Pejeta safari truly unforgettable. Arrive in Nairobi later in the day and be dropped off at your hotel, residence, or the airport, marking the end of your safari adventure.
🍽️Meals: Breakfast
🦁 Wildlife at Ol Pejeta
| Species | Sightings |
|---|---|
| 🦏 Black Rhino | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 183+ individuals - largest in East Africa |
| 🦏 Southern & Northern White Rhino | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Including Najin & Fatu |
| 🐘 African Elephant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Large herds |
| 🦁 Lion | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Multiple resident prides |
| 🐆 Leopard | ⭐⭐⭐ day / ⭐⭐⭐⭐ night |
| 🐆 Cheetah | ⭐⭐⭐ Coalition males on plains |
| 🐃 Cape Buffalo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Large herds |
| 🦒 Reticulated Giraffe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Northern Kenya subspecies |
| 🐒 Chimpanzee | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 35 at Sweetwaters |
| 🐺 Spotted Hyena | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on night drives |
| 🦓 Grevy's Zebra | ⭐⭐⭐ Endangered — present here |
| 🐦 300+ Bird Species | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🏨 Accommodation Options
| Tier | Property | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Kongoni Camp / Comfort Gardens | Outside conservancy |
| Mid-Range ⭐ | Sweetwaters Serena Camp | Inside conservancy |
| Luxury | Serena Morani Wing / Jambo Mutara | Inside conservancy |
| Ultra-Luxury | Porini Rhino Camp / Tambarare A&K | Inside conservancy |
💡 90% of our guests choose Sweetwaters Serena Camp — floodlit waterhole viewed from every tent, en-suite tents, full board, pool, best balance of location and comfort.
💰 Transparent Non-Residents 2026 Pricing From 1st July to 30th October
| PAX | COMFORT GARDEN | SERENA SWEET WATEWATERS | MAISHA SWEET WATERS | JAMBO MUTARA |
| 1. | $1560 | $ 1965 | $ 1970 | $ 2720 |
| 2. | $ 980 | $ 1225 | $ 1220 | $ 1760 |
| 3. | $ 765 | $ 1052 | $ 1015 | $ 1570 |
| 4. | $ 715 | $ 970 | $ 970 | $ 1505 |
| 5. | $ 640 | $ 920 | $ 895 | $ 1525 |
| 6. | $ 595 | $ 885 | $ 975 | $ 1419 |
| 7. | $ 590 | $ 860 | $ 845 | $ 1395 |
💰 Transparent Non-Residents 2026 Pricing From 1st November to 22nd December
| PAX | COMFORT GARDEN | SERENA SWEET WATEWATERS | MAISHA SWEET WATERS | JAMBO MUTARA |
| 1. | $ 1400 | $ 1635 | $ 1630 | $ 2480 |
| 2. | $ 860 | $ 1030 | $ 1030 | $ 1610 |
| 3. | $ 690 | $ 890 | $ 860 | $ 1465 |
| 4. | $ 650 | $ 820 | $ 820 | $ 1395 |
| 5. | $ 590 | $ 815 | $ 760 | $ 1351 |
| 6. | $ 550 | $ 750 | $ 665 | $ 1325 |
| 7. | $ 545 | $ 720 | $ 660 | $ 1305 |
Midrange tier: From $545 pp · Luxury tier: From $845 pp · Ultra-luxury: From $1,305 pp
Children: 3–11 years sharing room 50% · Own room 75% · Under 3 complimentary
Single supplement applies
Deposit: 30% confirms booking · Balance 21 days before departure
✅ Inclusions & Exclusions
| ✅ Included | ❌ Not Included |
|---|---|
| Private 4×4 Land Cruiser + pop-up roof | International flights to Nairobi |
| KPSGA-certified driver-guide | Travel insurance (mandatory) |
| Ol Pejeta Conservancy entry (all days) | Tips: guide $15–20/day, camp staff $5/day |
| Full-board accommodation | Alcoholic beverages outside meal plans |
| All-day game drives (unlimited) | Optional activities (night drive, lion tracking) |
| Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary entry | Kenya visa (apply at evisa.go.ke) |
| Morani Centre + Najin/Fatu visit | |
| Nairobi pickup & drop-off | |
| Flying Doctors emergency evacuation | |
| Binoculars + drinking water | |
| 24/7 WhatsApp emergency support |
➕ Optional Activities
| Activity | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| 🌙 Night Game Drive | $95 |
| 🦁 Guided Lion Tracking | $60 |
| 🚴 Cycling Safari (escorted) | $55 |
| 🚶 Bush Walk with Ranger | $70 |
| 🦏 Rhino Tracking on Foot | $85 |
| 🐎 Horseback Safari | $150 |
Book these at the time of your reservation — spaces fill quickly in peak season.
🌦️ When to Visit
Ol Pejeta is excellent year-round — wildlife doesn't migrate out of the conservancy.
- Dry season (Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct): Best wildlife viewing, clearest Mount Kenya views, peak tourist demand — book 2 months ahead
- Green season (Mar–May, Nov–Dec): Lush landscapes, fewer tourists, lower prices, some rain
Best month overall: October. Dry, clear, excellent Mount Kenya visibility.
🏆 Why Wild Springs
✔ TRA Licensed TRA1/47/C01/25895 · TOSK Member #0082
✔ TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2024, 2025, and 2026· 1,200+ verified reviews
✔ KPSGA-Certified Guides · Bronze, Silver, Gold certified
✔ AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover included
✔ Own fleet of 4×4 Land Cruisers — no subcontracting
✔ Operating Ol Pejeta since 2013
✔ Nairobi + Austria offices — European guest coordination
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are Najin and Fatu still alive?
Yes. As of early 2026, both northern white rhinos are alive and well at Ol Pejeta. Your Day 2 itinerary includes a guided visit to their enclosure accompanied by their keepers.
How many chimpanzees are at Sweetwaters?
35 rescued chimpanzees in two social groups separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Sweetwaters is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen — they are not native to this country.
Can I see the Big Five at Ol Pejeta?
Yes. All Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) are resident. Rhino sightings are effectively guaranteed. Leopard is most reliable on night drives.
Is the night game drive worth $95?
For most first-time visitors, yes. You see species impossible to see in national parks — leopard activity is higher, plus aardwolf, bat-eared fox, and nocturnal mammals you won't see anywhere else. We recommend Night 2.
How far is Ol Pejeta from Nairobi?
220 km · 4 to 5 hours by road. Day trips are technically possible but not recommended — the wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk, which you'd miss.
Is Ol Pejeta good for families with children?
Yes, from age 5 upward. Baraka the blind rhino and the Sweetwaters chimpanzees are especially memorable for kids. We recommend the mid-range tier (Sweetwaters Serena Camp) for family comfort.
Can I fly to Ol Pejeta instead of driving?
Yes. Nanyuki Airport is 15 minutes from the conservancy. Scheduled flights from Wilson Airport with Safarilink and Air Kenya. Fly-in adds approximately $400–600 pp. Contact us for a fly-in quote.
What's the cancellation policy?
Full refund with 7 days' notice. 50% refund with 72 hours' notice. Inside 72 hours, we'll transfer your booking to a future date where possible. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is recommended.
🔗 Combine with Other Wild Springs Tours
| Tour | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Masai Mara Group Safari | 3 Days | $375 pp |
| 2-Day Amboseli from Nairobi | 2 Days | $450 pp |
| Masai Mara Fly-In Safari | 3 Days | $1,800 pp |
| Mount Kenya Chogoria Trek | 5 Days | $850 pp |
| Kenya Bush to Beach Safari | 10 Days | $2,010 pp |
📞 Book Your 3-Day Ol Pejeta Safari
📱 WhatsApp (2-hour response): +254 729 257 317 · +254 734 417 496
📧 Email: [email protected]
🏢 Nairobi Office: Valley View Office Park, Tower A, First Floor, Parklands
🇦🇹 Austria Office: +43 650 702 1313 · +43 676 676 8130
📱 M-Pesa Paybill: 4065921 · Account: Your name + "Ol Pejeta"
Booking: 30% deposit confirms dates. Balance due 21 days before departure.
✔ TRA Licensed TRA1/47/C01/25895
✔ TOSK Member #0082
✔ TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2024, 2025 and 2026 🦏✨
Where You Will Visit
This safari explores the following regions in Kenya
- Nairobi
- Nanyuki
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
